How We Rise

My ancestors live in me.

My grandmother rises in me,

how the crown of her hair lies in sunlight

and into the wrinkle of her cheek folded reticence

is hid, the mist of years salting air, in tears, in our

shared blood, laughter hand blown through trees, soft

glass whispered particles buried with seed and moist

dirt, her knees touching earth, her voice infusing the

hills against my eardrums, my mind formed and feeding

from the ground, her laying up against hunger, her

wanting, thrown as spirit, high against blister-filled

wind, a boomerang of changeling charms, lying wait in

soft flour folded over dough, heart shaped, fine dust

helix, furnace stoked nights of rosary turning,

me rising from the ash

Reviews

[Jack...]

I love how this piece just grabbed me and held on. From the very first word to the last, it would not let go and I could not be happier. This was wonderfully written, almost as if I weren't reading it at all, like it was reading itself to me. Very cool.

[Kristina Moulaison]

I love that! Thank you!

[Sue Ellen Walker-Koenig]

While I do agree with your perception that we are living thought expressions, much of which is derived from our ancestors, in our thoughts, dreams, etc. However, where does everyone get ashes reborn stuff? Yes, it is true (in my exhausted thought) that we have our ancestors past imprinted on our DNA and our innermost minds, but it is not just us that is reborn, but the best part of those before us and then a little of who we are combined after we pass to the nether and come again. Maybe it is us wishing to be total expressions of loving children of the universe, that we in our self strive to be, and we should. Still, it is a nice write and..good insight and expression of a finite being grasping towards the infinite.

[Emily B]

oh, yes, loving this! pleased to visit with you this morning

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thank you Emily!

[redflutterby]

This is a truly wonderful write. Yes we see our ancestors in pieces of ourselves and the things we do. Ive noticed this myself and it always touches me. Its like a gift from the past...a living reminder of them. When I miss my grandmother or papa I seek out those little things and draw comfort from them. Amazing poem...

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thanks so much for reading and leaving your thoughts...they made me smile!

[Chloe]

Absolutely stunning. You described a link grown through nothing but blood through so many correlations and differences in the human mind and condition. This was a truly amazing piece. Kudos to you.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thank you so much Chloe! I really appreciate it!

[fireblossom]

Lovely writing. Tells our story lest we forget.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thanks so much!

[Chris]

Children have always been the future...

[Kristina Moulaison]

True...thanks!

[J. J. Nightingale]

I'm speechless ...
I love this .. "me rising from the ash"............
Your wrote what my heart sings..
They are not gone as long as we listen for
The spirit and the grace and the tears
Of our Ancestors... our ever cherished hearts..

Special.............. Jasmine

[Kristina Moulaison]

Oh... thanks so much Jasmine! :)

[J. J. Nightingale]

Perfection ............. You are welcome........... J.

[K.N. Lorenzen]

This is true, serious, challenging poetry! This "pantheistic" pearl of a "family saga", is dripping with emotion and beauty. I think of it, as a reflection/epiphany, on nature and how it is shaped/animated by the first and most important people in our lives. It is a hyper-sensual account of our primary-emotions/perceptions and human “nature”. I love how you describe the “ashes to ashes” cycle of life, with you “rising from the ashes”. Here, nature is not depicted as an alienated force, but as a dynamic omnipresent life-source, in all its grace and brutality, creation and destruction. Anyway! That was how I saw it. Your imagery is captivating, unpredictable, vivid and highly-evocative. I’ve listed my favorite lines below. It reminded me of the film “Tree of Life” (though this poem is a lot better ;)) And, it reminded me of one of my favorite poems: “A Girl” by Ezra Pound. Brilliant work, Kristina! I am being very sincere :) A hundred from me.

K.

"the mist of years salting air, in tears, in our
shared blood"

“laughter hand blown through trees, soft
glass whispered particles buried with seed and moist
dirt”

“lying wait in
soft flour folded over dough, heart shaped, fine dust
helix”

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thank you for this stunning review...I am most appreciative of your words, very insightful and beautiful!

[K.N. Lorenzen]

You are most welcome, Kristina :) I look forward to reading more.

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the poem. I believe we are pieces of ancestors who taught us to live and act. I like the description. Had the real feel of life and good places. Thank you for the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thanks for this! I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts!